Pope Benedict must apologise, says Pak Lah
Malaysiakini
Sep 16, 2006

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has demanded Pope Benedict XVI to withdraw and apologise for his ‘insensitive’ remarks, said to have offended Muslims all over the world.

The Pope sparked an outcry on Tuesday after making remarks that linked Islam and violence. He was quoting criticism of Islam and Prophet Muhammad by 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus in a theological lecture in Germany.

Abdullah, who also chairs the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference, was quoted in a Bernama report as saying that the remarks showed insensitivity to Muslim feelings and would hinder the fostering of good relations between Islam and Christianity.

“The Pope must not take lightly the spread of outrage that has been created. The Vatican must now take full responsibility over the matter and carry out the necessary steps to rectify the mistake,” the premier said from his working visit in Havana on Friday.

Abdullah noted the Pope’s remarks was “sowing more seeds of discord”.

“It is unfortunate that such an eminent figure like the Pope has not shown leadership in promoting good relations between religions,” the premier said, adding that judging from reactions of various quarters, the remarks could lead to further religious tension.

Be patient, Muslims urged

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar meanwhile urged Muslims to be patient and not to get too emotional but said that Muslims should condemn the statement so it will not be repeated, according to a Bernama report.

In a related development, opposition Islamic party PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa in a statement yesterday also expressed regret on the Holy Father’s remarks which he said has undermined Islam and painted an ugly picture of the religion.

He also demanded for the Pope’s apology and the remarks to be withdrawn.

“The irresponsible statement implies that the Pope is trying to wield a war of hatred and contempt against Islam during a time when Muslims are earnestly trying to forge better religious understanding between their brothers of different faiths,” Nasharudin stated.

The Pope’s comments were made in a lecture at the University of Regensburg during a visit to his native Bavaria in southern Germany and they were couched in a historical reference to a 14th century Byzantine emperor.

He took a quotation from the emperor: “Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

His official spokesperson later issued a response, saying that the Pope respected Islam but rejected violence motivated by religion.

Update: The Pope today he was sorry that Muslims had found his speech on Islam offensive. 

A statement read out by a senior Vatican official states: "The Holy Father is very sorry that some passages of his speech may have sounded offensive to the sensibilities of Muslim believers."

He expressed his respect for the Muslim faith and hoped that they would understand the 'true sense' of his words.